Abstract: An infrared heating system is disclosed that includes an enclosed tube extending from a first open end to a second open end, the enclosed tube having a sidewall opening in a sidewall of the tube at a location between the first and second open ends; an infrared heater mounted to the exterior of the enclosed tube such that heating elements of the infrared heater are exposed to the tube sidewall opening; and an auger disposed within the enclosed tube, the auger being driven by a drive system such that material fed into the enclosed tube at the first open end is transported to the second open end of the tube and is exposed to the heating elements of the infrared heater as the material is transported between the first and second open ends.

Abstract: A rotatable drum for an infrared drying system includes a body having a first end defining an entry opening, an opposite second end, and a plurality of planar sides extending therebetween. At least one of the planar sides defines an exit opening adjacent to the first end. An interior cavity is defined by the first and second ends and the planar sides, and the interior cavity is configured to receive solids at the entry opening and discharge solids at the exit opening. The body also includes at least one flight extending from an interior surface of the body into the interior cavity. The at least one flight is configured to channel solids from the entry opening to the back end when the drum is rotating clockwise and to channel solids from the second end to the exit opening when the drum is rotating counter-clockwise.

Abstract: A process for drying wet organic solids to below 10 percent by weight is disclosed wherein an infrared drying system having a housing, a conveyor extending through the housing, at least one infrared heater located within the housing, and a fan for moving an airflow stream through the at least one infrared heater and onto the conveyor. Another step in the process can be providing and feeding wet organic solids onto the conveyor at a metering rate. In one embodiment, the wet organic solids have a moisture content of about 80 percent by weight. Moisture is removed from the wet organic solids by exposing the wet organic solids to at least one infrared heating element within the drying system and an airflow stream that has been heated by the at least one infrared heating element.

Abstract: A process for drying wet organic solids to below 10 percent by weight is disclosed wherein an infrared drying system having a housing, a conveyor extending through the housing, at least one infrared heater located within the housing, and a fan for moving an airflow stream through the at least one infrared heater and onto the conveyor. Another step in the process can be providing and feeding wet organic solids onto the conveyor at a metering rate. In one embodiment, the wet organic solids have a moisture content of about 80 percent by weight. Moisture is removed from the wet organic solids by exposing the wet organic solids to at least one infrared heating element within the drying system and an airflow stream that has been heated by the at least one infrared heating element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heating systems for drying wet coatings such as printing inks, paint, sealants, etc. applied to a substrate. In particular, the invention relates to a drying system in which a blower having an inlet directs a current of heated gas such as air towards a wet coating on a substrate to dry the coating and wherein the heated air is circulated back to the inlet of the blower once the air impinges the coating on the substrate. The present invention also relates to a drying system in which the substrate is supported about a thermally conductive roll having a plurality of energy emitters disposed within the conductive roll along a length of the conductive roll. The plurality of energy emitters are controlled to selectively emit energy along the length of the conductive roll.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heating systems for drying wet coatings such as printing inks, paint, sealants, etc. applied to a substrate. In particular, the invention relates to a drying system in which a blower having an inlet directs a current of heated gas such as air towards a wet coating on a substrate to dry the coating and wherein the heated air is circulated back to the inlet of the blower once the air impinges the coating on the substrate. The present invention also relates to a drying system in which the substrate is supported about a thermally conductive roll having a plurality of energy emitters disposed within the conductive roll along a length of the conductive roll. The plurality of energy emitters are controlled to selectively emit energy along the length of the conductive roll.

Abstract: A dryer system for drying a coating applied to a substrate includes a thermally conductive roll having a length and a peripheral surface for supporting the substrate and a plurality of energy emitters disposed within the conductive roll along the length of the conductive roll. The plurality of energy emitters are controlled to selectively emit energy along the length of the conductive roll. The conductive roll is at least partially surrounded by at least one convection unit. The convection unit includes a blower assembly, a heater assembly and a vacuum passageway. The blower assembly includes an inlet and directs a current of air towards the substrate. The heater assembly heats the air being directed towards the substrate. The vacuum passageway extends between the substrate and the inlet of the blower assembly for returning the heated air to the blower assembly once the air has impinged upon the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heating systems for drying wet coatings such as printing inks, paint, sealants, etc. applied to a substrate. In particular, the invention relates to a drying system in which a blower having an inlet directs a current of heated gas such as air towards a wet coating on a substrate to dry the coating and wherein the heated air is circulated back to the inlet of the blower once the air impinges the coating on the substrate. The present invention also relates to a drying system in which the substrate is supported about a thermally conductive roll having a plurality of energy emitters disposed within the conductive roll along a length of the conductive roll. The plurality of energy emitters are controlled to selectively emit energy along the length of the conductive roll.

Abstract: A dryer system for drying a coating applied to a substrate includes a thermally conductive roll having a length and a peripheral surface for supporting the substrate, and a plurality of energy emitters disposed within the conductive roll along the length of the conductive roll. The plurality of energy emitters are controlled to selectively emit energy along the length of the conductive roll. The conductive roll is at least partially surrounded by at least one convection unit. The convection unit includes a blower assembly, a heater assembly and a vacuum passageway. The blower assembly includes an inlet and directs a current of air towards the substrate. The heater assembly heats the air being directed towards the substrate. The vacuum passageway extends between the substrate and the inlet of the blower assembly for returning the heated air to the blower assembly once the air has impinged upon the substrate.

Abstract: A system for applying heat to wet coatings applied to selected areas on a front surface of a continuous substrate includes an energy emitter for applying energy to the substrate to heat the substrate, a metallic roll contacting a back surface of the substrate opposite the front surface being heated, a mechanism for advancing the continuous substrate over and around the metallic roll and a contact member having a surface engaging the surface of the substrate. The metallic roll conducts heat away from non-selected areas on the substrate while the substrate is heated to prevent overheating of the non-selected areas. The contact member engages a surface of the substrate so that the substrate is in contact with greater than 180.degree. of the metallic roll.